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Overview
The Airtel I-League possibly didn’t really come alive after the first seven rounds with an average goal scoring ratio of less than 2.5 per game. The absence of some of the best senior and under-23 Indian players from the league could be one of the factors behind it but there was no dearth of goals, drama or excitement in round eight as it produced high-scoring thrillers, upsets and red cards.
Kalyani witnessed a couple of goal-fests as Salgaocar survived a late East Bengal comeback to win 3-2 while United SC also won by the same scoreline after coming back from two goals down against champions Churchill Brothers. The legendary Subhash Bhowmick has returned as the technical director of Churchill Brothers but the I-League holders remain winless.
The other high-scoring contest took place in Pune where an injury-time equaliser from former India captain Climax Lawrence saw Mumbai FC earn a 2-2 draw against Bengaluru FC. Mumbai grabbed a priceless point despite being reduced to ten men in the first half. There were two other sending offs in this round but the most notable one was that of Pune FC goalkeeper Amrinder Singh in their 2-0 defeat against Sporting Club.
The young goalie was shown the red after receiving two yellows and since Pune coach Mike Snoei had already made three substitutions, central defender Anas Edathodika had to fill in as goalkeeper in the latter stages of the game. Amrinder’s red card capped off a miserable outing for Pune as their unbeaten started was ended with former Bolton and Levante attacker Riga Mustapha failing to make an impact on his I-League debut.
Shillong Lajong finally recorded their first home win of the season against Mohammedan Sporting with Brazilian Uilliams Bomfim bagging a brace in the 2-1 win. The result piles the pressure on Mohammedan Sporting coach Moshood Bola Abdulaziz. The goalless stalemate between Dempo and Mohun Bagan was the only drab encounter of this matchday with Mohun Bagan custodian Shilton Paul producing a man-of-the-match display and he has been rewarded with an inclusion among the standbys of the India squad.
Results
East Bengal 2-3 Salgaocar; Mohun Bagan 0-0 Dempo; United SC 3-2 Churchill Brothers; Mumbai FC 2-2 Bengaluru FC; Sporting Clube 2-0 Pune FC; Shillong Lajong 2-1 Mohammedan Sporting
Game of the round
United SC 3-2 Churchill Brothers
Ranti Martins ended his goal drought with a match-winning bracePhoto Credit: AIFF Media
There were three nominees for this category but in the end our vote when to United SC’s dramatic comeback. Both sides came into this fixture on the back of some poor form as United SC were winless in five while Churchill Brothers hadn’t won since last season.
With Subhash Bhowmick officially back as Churchill Brothers technical director, the Red Machines were expected to produce an improved showing. The Goan outfit struggled to impose their authority on the game as United SC dominated possession but the defending champions went in front against the run of play through former India under-23 international Balwant Singh.
Balwant doubled Churchill Brothers’ advantage early in the second half and it looked like the Goan side were set for their first win of the season. But CK Vineeth gave United SC a lifeline by pulling one back quickly and then it was the Ranti Martins show. The Nigerian striker had incredibly gone five games without a goal and that was a key reason behind United SC’s winless streak.
Ranti finally ended his goal drought by netting the equaliser in the 77th minute before bagging the winner eleven minutes later. It was a dramatic turnaround and Churchill Brothers’ afternoon got worse when India international Denzil Franco was shown a straight red for his off-the-ball challenge on Vineeth. The result kept United SC in the top five while Churchill Brothers’ woes continue.
Result of the round
East Bengal 2-3 Salgaocar
Salgaocar’s goal scorers against East Bengal: (From left) – Francis Fernandes, Karma Tsewang and Clifton DiasPhoto Credit: AIFF Media
Salgaocar had started round eight in pole position and needed a win to remain at the top. More importantly, a win away at East Bengal would strengthen their title credentials and the Goan giants managed to do just that.
Having beaten Bengaluru FC in round seven, East Bengal were aiming to bag another home win in Kalyani but they found themselves 2-0 down inside the first ten minutes. Salgaocar completely exposed the lack of balance in the East Bengal side by scoring twice from counter attacks. Karma Tsewang scored the opener after Naoba Singh had cleared Darryl Duffy’s initial effort off the line.
India international Francis Fernandes scored the second with a brilliant chip over Abhijit Mondal after another quick counter attack. East Bengal just couldn’t recover in the first half as besides a double save from Karanjit Singh they rarely threatened to score while Salgaocar looked dangerous whenever they attacked.
East Bengal needed an early goal in the second half to come back into the contest but it was Salgaocar who crucially got the next goal of the match as young Clifton Dias made it 3-0. At that point it looked like game over but James Moga quickly pulled one back and then substitute Semilen Doungel made it 3-2.
Salgaocar had a nervy few minutes towards the end but eventually held on for a massive win. Derrick Pereira’s side have been the most consistent side so far and will be boosted by the addition of Australian Matthew Foschini. On the other hand, another home defeat only increases the problems of East Bengal coach Marcos Falopa, who is still struggling to settle in Indian football with fans and sections of Kolkata’s Bengali media already having turned against him.
Best Players
Foreigner – Ranti Martins (United SC)
The highest scorer of the last three seasonds ended his goal drought in emphatic fashion and reminded everyone that he remains one of the best match winners in the I-League. Ranti though faces a lot of competition for the top scorer accolade this time around.
Indian – Francis Fernandes (Salgaocar)
Francis FernandesPhoto Credit: Salgaocar FC
The Salgaocar skipper was outstanding throughout against East Bengal as he scored once and set up another. Francis’ running, passing and crossing was a joy to watch and Falopa’s side simply couldn’t cope with him.
Controversy
The major controversy of this round came after East Bengal’s defeat to Salgaocar as Falopa was reported to have disrespected a journalist in the post-match press conference. The only big talking point from the on-field action was the red card of Mumbai FC’s Ashutosh Mehta, who was given a straight red for a professional foul on Bengaluru’s Siam Hangal despite not being the last man.
Mumbai were heavily criticised for their time-wasting antics last season and Bengaluru coach Ashley Westwood was critical of Khalid Jamil’s side for the same reason after the 2-2 draw. Mohammedan Sporting coach Abdulaziz also blamed the refereeing for his side’s 2-1 defeat against Shillong Lajong.
The Table
| Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | Points | GD |
| Salgaocar | 7 | 5 | 1 | 1 | 16 | +8 |
| Bengaluru FC | 7 | 4 | 2 | 1 | 14 | +5 |
| Pune FC | 6 | 4 | 1 | 1 | 13 | +4 |
| Sporting Clube | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 13 | +3 |
| United SC | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | +2 |
| Shillong Lajong | 8 | 3 | 3 | 2 | 12 | 0 |
| Mohun Bagan | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 9 | -1 |
| Mumbai FC | 8 | 1 | 4 | 3 | 7 | -2 |
| Mohammedan Sporting | 7 | 2 | 1 | 4 | 7 | -2 |
| Dempo | 7 | 1 | 4 | 2 | 7 | -3 |
| East Bengal | 4 | 2 | 0 | 2 | 6 | +3 |
| Churchill Brothers | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 3 | -3 |
| Rangdajied United | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 2 | -12 |
